Best Travel Car Seats for Family Holidays

Taking a car seat on holiday can feel like one more huge thing to pack, but choosing the right travel car seat can make getting around once you arrive much easier. Of course you always have the option to hire a car seat at your destination through your rental company but many people prefer to have their own so that they can be sure that it's the right size and that it's safe.

The best option depends on where you're travelling, your child's age and size, and whether you need the seat for taxis, hire cars, your own car or even the flight itself.

One really important thing to know is that car-seat regulations aren't the same everywhere. A seat that is approved for use in the US isn't necessarily approved for use in Europe. Always check that your car seat complies with the regulations of the country where you will be using it, as well as the requirements of your airline if you plan to take it onto the plane.

I've split my recommendations into US and UK options to make it easier to find the right one for your trip. (Scroll to the bottom for the UK)

Best Travel Car Seats for the USA

1. WAYB - Best lightweight travel car seat

If you're travelling around the US and want a proper car seat that doesn't take up half your luggage, the WAYB Pico is one of the most interesting options.

It weighs just 8lb (3.6kg) and folds down small enough to fit in most airline overhead bins. It has a lightweight aluminium frame, breathable mesh and a 5-point harness, and is designed for forward-facing use.

It's also FAA-approved for use on aircraft and meets applicable US federal car-seat standards.

→ Click here: [Check out the WAYB Pico]

2. RideSafer Travel Vest — Best for ultra-light travel

The RideSafer Travel Vest is a completely different approach to a travel car seat.

Instead of carrying a bulky car seat, your child wears a lightweight vest which works with the vehicle's seat belt system. The current RideSafer range is tested/certified to the relevant FMVSS 213 requirements, with different models and sizes depending on the child's weight and how the vest is used.

The obvious advantage for travel is how little space it takes up compared with a conventional car seat.

It can be particularly interesting for older children who have outgrown a 5-point harness but still need an appropriate restraint when travelling in cars.

Best for: Families who prioritise portability and are travelling in the US.

→ Click here: [Check out the RideSafer Travel Vest]

3. Maxi-Cosi - Best folding travel booster

For older children who are ready for a booster, the Maxi-Cosi Tanza is another convenient option for travel.

It's a folding high-back booster for children from 40–100lb, with a compact design, built-in carry handle and included travel bag. It also has a 10-position adjustable headrest and rigid LATCH connectors.

This is a good option if you want something that provides more back and head support than a simple backless booster, while still being designed with portability in mind.

→ Click here: [Check out the Maxi-Cosi Tanza]

My pick for UK family travel

If you're travelling from the UK, the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus is the one I'd look at first.

It's a R129/i-Size compliant car seat that can be used from 15 months to 12 years (76–150cm), so unlike many travel seats, it's designed to grow with your child for years.

And the feature that makes it particularly useful for travel? It folds down.

The Nomad XL Plus folds to approximately 46 × 53 × 23cm and comes with its own built in travel bag, making it much easier to carry through an airport or store when you're not using it. It weighs around 6.2kg.

It also has:

5 recline positions
13 headrest positions
5-point harness for the younger stage
G-CELL side-impact protection
ISOFIX connectors and top tether in harness mode
Just 44cm wide, so up to three can fit across the back seat in suitable cars.

And because it folds and comes with a dedicated travel bag, you don't have the usual problem of trying to work out how you're going to transport a full-size car seat through an airport.

→ Click here: [Check out the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus]